Jorge Ruiz Díaz made history at the new Belmont Park with Doubting Thomas
he Argentine jockey traveled specially from Maryland to ride the son of Caravaggio and captured the Bricks and Mortar Stakes. He has recorded 96 victories in 2026 and stands very close to surpassing his career highs in wins and purse earnings in the United States
ELMONT, New York (Special for Turf Diario).— Jorge Ruiz Díaz continues to add outstanding chapters to his impressive career in the United States. The Argentine jockey became the protagonist of a special afternoon this Saturday by recording his first victory at the renovated Belmont Park, driving Doubting Thomas to triumph in the inaugural running of the Bricks and Mortar Stakes (L), a $175,000 contest held over 1400 meters on the turf.
The victory carried a special significance for the rider, who traveled specially from his base in Maryland to reunite with a horse he knows intimately and with whom he had previously celebrated victory. The trip proved rewarding and reconfirmed the remarkable form Ruiz Díaz is displaying in American racing.
Trained by Michael Trombetta and bred in Virginia by R. Larry Johnson, Doubting Thomas found the return to a one-turn layout to be the ideal setting to regain his sharpest form. He was coming off a disappointing sixth-place finish in the Gio Ponti Stakes (L) over two turns and a mile at Saratoga, where he was ridden by John Velazquez, but this time the script was entirely different.
Ruiz Díaz capitalized on a good break by the son of Caravaggio to position him within striking distance of the pacesetters without involving him in the heated early battle. Intricate Spirit (Complexity) set demanding fractions of 21.92 and 44.29 seconds, while Doubting Thomas bided his time waiting for the right moment to launch his bid.
Entering the stretch, the Argentine angled him into the center of the track, and his mount responded decisively, taking control in the closing stages and holding off the late rally of Iron Palace (Palace Malice), who finished second a length back. Big Destroyer (Midshipman) completed the trifecta, while the favorite Two Out Hero (War Front) finished unplaced. The final time was 1:20.17 over firm turf.
"He broke well and was in a good position. I waited until the quarter pole and let him go for the win. He is a good horse," Ruiz Díaz explained after his victory.
Trombetta also underscored the importance of securing the Argentine rider: "Jorge knows the horse and has ridden him several times. When I asked him if he wanted to make the trip, he agreed right away. He worked him, loved the way he moved, and here we are."
For Doubting Thomas, it was his fourth victory in seven starts and his third stakes win following triumphs in the Jamestown Stakes (L) and the Colonial Turf Dash (L), both at Colonial Downs. His next target could be the Carle Place Stakes (L), scheduled for November 7.
Beyond the significance of the stakes score, Ruiz Díaz's achievement carries even greater weight when looking at his 2026 statistics. The Argentine rider has amassed 96 wins with a 15 percent strike rate and 44 percent in the top three—numbers that highlight his consistency and prominent status.
His personal best for wins in a calendar year stands at 116, established in 2025—a mark well within reach with over two and a half months remaining in the season. Just 21 victories separate him from establishing a new personal record, while in purse earnings he is even closer to topping last year's career-high mark.
Enjoying an outstanding campaign in Maryland, where he remains among the most competitive jockeys, Ruiz Díazcontinues to solidify his reputation in a demanding circuit, earning the trust of major trainers and capitalizing on every opportunity that comes his way.
The win at Belmont Park represents another step forward in his sustained growth. Traveling to ride a single horse, rewarding the confidence of his connections, and returning with a stakes victory is no small feat.
Jorge Ruiz Díaz is experiencing one of the finest periods of his career, and both the numbers and his performances continue to prove it.
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